Journal

I keep a running tally of the questions people ask me when they want to decorate with books, and the same handful come up again and again. How do you...

When I was small, I used to feel a sharp little pang of envy every September. My school friends would drift back into the classroom full of stories about France,...

There is real gold in your grandmother’s glassware, and I don’t mean that metaphorically! That deep pinkish red glow you see lit up on a windowsill or glinting from the...

I have recently come to the conclusion that the humble tea tray is, in fact, a masterpiece of domestic life through the ages. Bit of a heavy statement for a...

A Spring Morning in Bletchingley Last month took me to Bletchingley, a pretty Surrey village you can easily miss if you blink, and home to Lawrences Auctioneers, a family run...

I stumbled upon a real secret in South London. My family and I had booked a couple of days away in Battersea for a little city break, but you know...

My affection for quality silver plate really began out of necessity. In those early weeks of buying vintage for The Blue Loft, I was simply not in a position to...

As 2026 races towards the end of March, I felt compelled to pause and write about a piece of vintage that deserves a note of its own in The Blue...

Aren't these spring skies and slightly longer days a welcome relief? Each March, my attention turns back to the garden and, if I am honest, so does my guilt. Why...

If you have ever been drawn to pottery that feels cheerful, colourful, and a little bit storybook, there is a good chance you were looking at French Quimper ware. These...

September always carries a certain tenderness for me. It is the month of my mum’s birthday, and she remains my favourite person in the world to buy for. Some people...

As the warmth of late summer fades into September (and I go in search of the thermals), gatherings often shift from gardens to the dining room or living room. The...